# NTSB CHI97LA107: Maule MX-7-180, N5666N, Lakeville, MN, April 19, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1997, 09:01 local (14:01 UTC)
- Place: Lakeville, MN
- Coordinates: 44.669498, -93.239227 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6695&lon=-93.2392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10545
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10545/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA107

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

During the pilot's second touch and go landing, he held right aileron input to compensate for a light crosswind.  After touchdown the right wing began to rise and the pilot was unable to maintain control of the airplane which veered off the runway and ground looped.

## Factual narrative

On April 19, 1997, at 0901 central daylight time (cdt), a Maule MX-7-180, N5666N, was destroyed following a loss of control during a touch and go takeoff roll on runway 29 (4,077' x 75' dry/asphalt), at the Minneapolis Airlake Airport, Lakeville, Minnesota.  The airline transport pilot reported no injuries and the passenger reported minor injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was on file.  The local flight originated at 0855 cdt.

According to the pilot's written statement, after takeoff, he stayed in the traffic pattern to do some touch and go's.  The pilot stated, "I made a normal approach, and a normal 3-point type landing, slightly right wing low to compensate for the light crosswind, and holding right aileron after touchdown.  During the rollout the right wing began to rise.  I applied full control input, but was unable to regain control of the aircraft, which went off the left side of the runway.  The aircraft was spun around counter clockwise, coming to rest level and right side up."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5666N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5666N-1999-03-16), registration cancelled 1999-03-16, S/N 11024C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Maule MX-7-180
- Registry model: [Maule MX-7-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-180) (registry code 5470205) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11024C
- Airframe hours: 859
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Dennis Vanatta
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1997, 2 hours before
- Departed: LVN
- Airport: LVN, Minneapolis Airlake, runway 29, 4,077 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,365 total, 30 in this make and model, 8,800 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVN

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19970419006159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970419006159A), Apr 19, 1997: Maule MX7180, Lakeville, MN, Destroyed. Bounced nose high from hard landing wing stalled and hit runway. Aircraft cartwheeled into soft field . Too slow. (-23) eyewitness observed aircraft make what…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.